Eye irritation is a common issue that can arise from several causes, including allergies, dryness, prolonged screen time, or exposure to dust and pollutants. While the discomfort may tempt you to rub your eyes, doing so can worsen the irritation and even risk damaging the eyes. So what can you do instead?
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Aadhithreya Varman, Director of Uma Eye Clinic, shared some useful tips to find relief while discussing some of the common causes of eye irritation.
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What Causes Aggressive Eye Rubbing?
The prevalence of eye irritation can vary depending on its underlying cause. From dry eye disease to allergic conjunctivitis, many factors can cause eye irritation.
While dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or produce poor-quality tears, allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the white of the eye becomes inflamed. Research suggests that the prevalence of dry eye disease ranges from 5–50% globally, whereas at least 20% of the general population is estimated to have some form of allergic conjunctivitis.
However, these are not the only causes of eye irritation. Dr Varman lists a few common reasons behind it:
Allergies: Ocular irritation is common in people with specific allergies related to weather, pollen, or food. This can cause symptoms, which include sneezing and nasal discharge. Your eyes typically get watery, red, and even itch at times.
Using lenses: Use of contact lenses is a common source of ocular irritation as they accumulate microorganisms easily.
Prolonged eye strain: Staring at electronic screens such as tablets, smartphones, and other gadgets can cause irritation in your eyes. This irritation can also cause discomfort in your neck, back, and headache pain in addition to your eye trouble.
Environmental factors: Eye irritation can be caused by irritants such as dust, tobacco smoke, chlorinated water, and dry weather. Your eyes may even feel grainy because of it.
How Does Aggressively Rubbing Affect Your Eyes?
“Frequent rubbing of the eyes can weaken and thin the cornea, causing it to protrude forward and take on a more cone-like shape,” says Dr Varman, adding that your initial reaction when something alien gets in your eye is probably to rub it out to eliminate it. But there is a possibility that the item could scratch the cornea and cause more harm.
According to the doctor, long-term habitual eye rubbing can also significantly increase the risk of developing keratoconus, which is a condition that causes the cornea to gradually thin and enlarge into a cone shape. This can lead to blurred vision and possible light and glare sensitivity. Unfortunately, keratoconus affects both eyes, wherein one eye may be more affected than the other.
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People usually start to experience it between the ages of 30 and late teens. The illness may worsen gradually for ten years or more, the doctor further noted.
How To Safely Remove Irritants From The Eyes
Rather than rubbing your eyes violently, you can try using artificial tears or saline solution to drain the irritants out instead, advises Dr Varman.
He adds, “From a sanitary standpoint, keep in mind that your hands are contaminated with microorganisms and germs. Thus, putting a finger into your eyes that hasn't been properly cleaned with soap and water can exacerbate an illness, such as conjunctivitis. Rubbing can increase the pressure in the eyes, leading to retinal tears or detachments. If you rub your eyes excessively, you could look older too. There could be an outburst of tiny blood vessels, which can result in causing wrinkles, dark circles, and bloodshot eyes.”
It is important to seek medical attention if you have any type of pricking sensation, itchiness, blurry vision, or eye inflammation. Do not neglect any symptoms related to the eyes, as it can result in lifelong visual loss. Consultation from an eye care specialist is the best course of action to prevent any serious issues.